Omanyala sails through to final of Men's 100M at 11.30pm, Kenya's Samwel Imeta fails to qualify

Ferdinand Omanyala of Team Kenya competes during the Men's 100m Round 1 heats on day five of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium on August 02, 2022 on the Birmingham, England. (Kelly Ayodi, Standard)

Reigning African champion Ferdinand Omanyala on Wednesday evening sailed through to the finals of the 100m at the ongoing 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, United Kingdom.

Samwel Bitonyake Imeta of Team Kenya competes during the Men's 100m Round 1 heats on day five of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at Alexander Stadium on August 02, 2022 on the Birmingham, England. (Kelly Ayodi, Standard)

The African fastest man clocked 10.02 seconds to win the second semifinals ahead of Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon who came second to seal the top two automatic qualification spots in a time of 10.14.

Omanyala will now renew his rivalry with South Africa Akani Simbine who won the first semifinals in 10.07 seconds.

The former African champion was followed closely by Rohan Brownnig in 10.17.

On the downside, it was the end of the road for Samwel Imeta after he failed to qualify for the finals.

Imeta clocked 10.24 to finish fifth in the third and final semifinals. Local favourite Mitchele Blake won the semis in 10.13 ahead of Wales' Jeremiah Azu who finished second in a Personal Best time of 10.15.

Ghanaian Benjamin Azamati and Sri Lakian Yupun Abeykoon finished third and fourth respectively in 10.18 and 10.20 and qualified as the two fast losers.

The finals will be at 11.30pm tonight.

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